Charities working closely with the homeless back a proposed crackdown on begging but have reservations about fining offenders.

Last month Maidstone council announced it would be conducting daily crackdowns on beggars, with police assistance.

As part of these crackdowns it is possible that persistent offenders could be fined.

The Maidstone Day Centre, in Knightrider Street, and Porchlight both work closely with the council and are against begging.

They are in favour of the crackdowns but are unsure about whether issuing fines is the correct way to go.

Jane Redman, the Porchlight’s partnerships manager, said: “We feel that if fining persistent offenders was brought in it is unlikely to work as an effective deterrent, however, we understand that fining would be a last resort.

“We feel that if fining persistent offenders was brought in it is unlikely to work as an effective deterrent, however, we understand that fining would be a last resort"- Jane Redman, Porchlight's partnerships manager

“Our concern would be that this would only lead to more debt through non-payments which has the potential to criminalise a symptom of someone’s situation rather than help them address the causes.”

Zofia Grzymala, manager of Maidstone Day Centre, added: “We try and encourage the people we help not to do it, but fining them would be tricky, it depends.

“If they are using the money to get drugs then I can’t see why not. They can come here to get food or drinks.”

The council will start its daily ‘sweeps’ this month.

These will allow officers to build profiles of the street population and of businesses affected.

If someone is found to be genuinely in need, they will be offered help.

Both charities believe plenty of support already exists and hope these crackdowns will allow them to help more people.

They actively encourage not to beg. Their logic is the money would be better spent if it went directly to professional organisations.